What’s the Thought Process?
Every bathroom at Casa de Vista was in need of some much-deserved love, and when our renovation journey began in the summer of 2017, we had to think strategically. With five of us living and working in the house that summer, we couldn’t exactly shut them all down at once—we still needed a functional bathroom! So, after some careful planning, we decided to start with the Primary bathroom and the Turtle Room bathroom. And just like that, the bathroom remodel thought process began.
Before our Summer of 2017 start date, we had begun to plan. Remember the book. Brian and I talked about our thoughts and plans for the bathrooms. Brian is good with the big picture, and of course, I enjoy the details. So, he took care of the location of cabinets, plumbing, and electrical. (Do I need to say we didn’t do those areas – we hired them out) And I was in charge of the details.
Here’s a breakdown of the thought process:
- Research into where we will get our items. We always started our search at Home Depot. Some things we could get at the island Home Depot, but the majority were not in stock, so we had to order and have the items shipped in (And this whole process will have to be another Field Trip)
- We also used Wayfair & Overstock
- We used the KISS Approach to things: “Keep It Simple Silly”
- The decision was made to keep all the items (toilet, sink, cabinets, counter top, lighting, sink & shower hardware, towel bars, and tile all the same for all three bathrooms
- I could make each bathroom different with accessories & artwork (or do I say decorations)
- Electrical, Plumbing, and Tiling – all outsourced
- All things had to be ordered and shipped to the freight forwarder in Miami, FL & then loaded onto a ship to St Croix (2 options that we have used: VI Cargo & Paradise Freight)
- An organization of items ordered was necessary. We hoped that everything would arrive on St Croix and would not be damaged. For the most part, we were lucky – only a few issues with damage.
Check List:
- Cabinets (custom cabinets ordered from Armrey Industries, Inc.)
- Countertop (We picked from what the cabinet company had in stock and even purchased the 3rd countertop, even though it wasn’t going in at this time. Armrey Industries stored it for us until we needed it.)
- Tile & Accent Tile (We only ordered enough for the first two bathrooms)
- Mortar & Grout.
- Light Fixtures
- Sinks
- Toilets
- Sink & Shower Hardware
- Glass for showers came from Castle Glassworks Inc (on St Croix)
Things Learned:
If you can get all the needed items at the same time, that would be ideal for the bathroom remodel thought process. However, if the funds aren’t available or a place to store things isn’t available, you may need to adjust (and that’s ok). Here’s why I say this … you may have to just settle for what we refer to as “Island Perfect” when you go to do another project that you want to look the same-ish. We only purchased the tile needed for the two bathrooms. When we went to do the third and final bathroom in 2022, the floor tile was available, but not our accent tiles. (Insert “sad face” here)
But … it’s OK. It’s “Island Perfect”. The third bathroom looks similar to the other two. You probably wouldn’t have even noticed if I hadn’t just told you! Right?!? Did I mention that the sinks are different, too?
In the end, we’re really pleased with all we’ve accomplished—and it’s a world better than where we started! Renovations always come with lessons, but the results are worth it. After all, an Island-Perfect Bathroom is always better than no bathroom at all. And remember—when you’re at Casa de Vista, the true joy is soaking up the beauty of St. Croix. The bathrooms are just a bonus!
